Milt Wilcox
Encyclopedia
Milton Edward Wilcox was a pitcher who had a sixteen-year career from 1970 to 1975, 1977–1986. He played for the Cincinnati Reds
and Chicago Cubs
of the National League
and the Cleveland Indians
, Detroit Tigers
and Seattle Mariners
of the American League
. He won a World Series title with the Tigers in .
On April 15, 1983, Wilcox came within one out of a perfect game
, when Chicago White Sox
batter Jerry Hairston, Sr. singled off him in the ninth inning.
With Detroit, he was a reliable third starter in the rotation for years, consistently giving his team six and more innings each start. This complemented Jack Morris
and Dan Petry
, who were power pitcher
s and considered the aces. His 17 wins in 1984 were important in the Tigers' run to their world championship. (Morris won 19, Petry 18 that year.) He won one game each in that year's ALCS and World Series. That year, he also started his season going 6-0. This was not duplicated by a Tiger pitcher until 2007, by Jeremy Bonderman
.
Currently, Milt owns and operates Ultimate Air Dogs with his son Brian Wilcox, and his wife Cathi Bifano Wilcox along with their four dogs Sparky Anderson-Wilcox, Maximus, Nash, and Allie. Ultimate Air Dogs is the premier dock jumping
organization in the country, and you can find him at events across the US by visiting ultimateairdogs.com.
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
and Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
and the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
of the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
. He won a World Series title with the Tigers in .
On April 15, 1983, Wilcox came within one out of a perfect game
Perfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
, when Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
batter Jerry Hairston, Sr. singled off him in the ninth inning.
With Detroit, he was a reliable third starter in the rotation for years, consistently giving his team six and more innings each start. This complemented Jack Morris
Jack Morris
John Scott "Jack" Morris is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played in 18 big league seasons between 1977 and 1994, mainly for the Detroit Tigers, and won 254 games throughout his career...
and Dan Petry
Dan Petry
Daniel Joseph Petry is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers , California Angels , Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox ....
, who were power pitcher
Power pitcher
In baseball, a power pitcher is a pitcher who relies on the velocity of his pitches, sometimes at the expense of accuracy. Power pitchers usually record a high number of strikeouts and statistics such as strikeouts per 9 innings pitched are common measures of power...
s and considered the aces. His 17 wins in 1984 were important in the Tigers' run to their world championship. (Morris won 19, Petry 18 that year.) He won one game each in that year's ALCS and World Series. That year, he also started his season going 6-0. This was not duplicated by a Tiger pitcher until 2007, by Jeremy Bonderman
Jeremy Bonderman
Jeremy Allen Bonderman is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who currently is a free agent. Bonderman is six feet and two inches tall and weighs 220 pounds. He bats and throws right-handed...
.
Currently, Milt owns and operates Ultimate Air Dogs with his son Brian Wilcox, and his wife Cathi Bifano Wilcox along with their four dogs Sparky Anderson-Wilcox, Maximus, Nash, and Allie. Ultimate Air Dogs is the premier dock jumping
Dock jumping
Dock jumping also known as dock diving is a dog sport in which dogs compete in jumping for distance or height from a dock into a body of water.There are dock jumping events in the United States and other countries such as United Kingdom,...
organization in the country, and you can find him at events across the US by visiting ultimateairdogs.com.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- 1984 Detroit Tigers season1984 Detroit Tigers seasonThe Detroit Tigers won the 1984 World Series, defeating the San Diego Padres, 4 games to 1. The season was their 84th since they entered the American League in 1901 and their fourth World Series championship. Detroit relief pitcher Willie Hernandez won the Cy Young Award and was chosen as the...